Sharper Image - Full of It (Get Up Recordings)

Starting out the 2015 release line-up for Get Up Recordings is “Full of It”, a deep house track from Los Angelian Spencer Moore aka Sharper Image. No stranger to the label, in 2014 Spencer did a brilliant remix for its co-owner Christy Love’s “B.W.F.A.” This time around he releases a major jam with remixes from Chicago’s Alinka and fellow L.A. transplant Kenny Summit.

Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Spencer was surrounded by music from a young age. Stylistically, his production draws upon his southern roots with an enduring love of soul music and the blues which can both be heard on “Full of It”. It’s essentially a dreamy deep house track that swells with vocal snippets and a soulful, bumping bass line.

Alinka takes the helm first with her remix. In addition to running Twirl Recordings out of Chicago with her partner Shaun J. Wright, she has a thirteen year DJ career under her belt, which includes being a resident at Smart Bar and various global trots. Her knowledge of music and personal production style comes from being surrounded by music all the time. She is able to draw from the best sources and make them into her own unique sound. Her Chicago style rips right through on this remix from its jackin’ vocals to the dark, swinging bass line.

Second up on remix duties is Good For You Records head honcho Kenny Summit. Being a New Jersey native comes with all the perks -- like growing up at Zanzibar and Limelight -- but for Kenny this also meant eventually DJ'ing at both legendary venues. His production work with Eric Kupper and the late house music legend Frankie Knuckles can be heard on his GFY label. His style is deep and housey with a bit of the Jersey sound, which can be heard on his take of the song where he makes perfect use of piano key chords and reworks the diva vocal. His interpretation stays a bit truer to the original, making it a beautiful compliment to this release.

Tensnake - "Nice Alinka remix."
DJ Heather - "I'm digging this!"
Justin Harris (Music For Freaks) - "This is a dope EP!"
Vanilla Ace (OFF Recordings) - "Kenny Summit's remix is great."
Elijah Collins (Mullet Records / Retrospective) - "The original is a sick track."
Lil' Mark (Great Lakes Audio / Bump Music) - "Alinka's remix is ace!"
Alkalino (Audaz Recordings) - "The Kenny Summit remix is my pick. That Alinka remix is also cool."
Distant People (Foliage / Seamless) - "This really captures the warehouse vibe … a solid house shaker!"
Chrissy Murderbot (Planet Mu / Loose Squares) - "I'm loving Alinka's remix."
Daz-I-Kue (Future Soul Records) - "Some nice deepness here."
Vincent Kwok (Eight-Fifteen) - "I'm definitely feeling the original track."
Mojo Rising (F.A.M.I.L.Y.) - "Love it. Such a classic old school vibe. Kenny Summit's remix really hits the spot with those deep bass hits."
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - "Truly uplifting and inspiring."
Niksa Dragolin (Eurostar Radio, Croatia) - "House house house! I like Alinka's work on the remix … Chicago roots."
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - "A delight … this made my day! The piano-driven old school flavor on the solid deep house groove on the original is super."
Jean Jérome (Purpleheadz) - "Real house music right here … nice!"

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Alinka - Basic EP (Get Up Recordings)

Get Up Recordings continues to establish themselves as forerunners of underground house with the Basic EP from Chicago’s Alinka. The release contains two original tracks straight from the Chicago house scene, “You’re Basic” and “Reaching,” with accompanying remixes from wizard producers Lauren Flax and Lil’ Mark.

Alena Ratner, aka Alinka, fell in love with house music in the ’90s like many growing up in Chicago. In 2001 she landed the opening slot at Justin Long’s renowned .Dotbleep night at Smart Bar, which she played at regularly until 2009. She began producing in 2003, releasing a multitude of tracks on labels such as Igloo Recordings, Greenhouse, D’Lectable, and Smart Bar’s Area DJ Records. Alinka began touring globally, playing gigs throughout the U.K. and Europe shortly afterwards.

The last two years have been particularly fruitful and rewarding for Alinka, due in large part to her friendship and musical partnership with singer, DJ, and producer Shaun J. Wright. Their first EP, Twirl Vol.1, named after the monthly party they run together, was promptly signed to Derrick Carter and Luke Solomon’s esteemed house label Classic Music Co. The EP’s lead single, “Love Inspired,” was featured on the Defected Records Compilation Defected Presents The Closing Party Ibiza 2013 as well as Defected’s In The House Radio show. In addition, Alinka and Wright have collaborated on a plethora of remixes for Hi Fashion, The Carry Nation, JD Samson & MEN, and Baby Alpaca. Alinka’s most recent remixes include Eli Escobar’s track “Anotha Luv” for Get Up Recordings, and Asher Diamonds’ “Got to Know” for NBD Music Co. The Basic EP is her first original solo release.

The first track off the EP, “You’re Basic,” really showcases a producer who was born and raised in Chicago. Influences like the 303, Adonis, and Trax Records all contribute to the fierce groove. The voice in the track, Alinka herself, lays down the rules of the game in a steady command and tells all the others ‘you’re basic.’ The remix of “You’re Basic” comes courtesy of Lauren Flax, a DJ, songwriter, and producer from NYC. Flax is currently a member of the band CREEP with long-time collaborator Lauren Dillard and was the official Fischerspooner tour DJ from 2008-2011. Her debut single, “You’ve Changed,” featured vocals by Sia of Zero7 fame. Flax’s remix strips down the track even further where it just becomes the most basic elements of dance music: drums, bass, and voice. Flax’s streamlining of the track really packs a full dance floor punch.

The second original cut of the EP, “Reaching,” is a jackin’, ethereal house track. This is true house music in the sense that the keys, the kick, and the claps make up the rhythm nicely. There is a sprinkle of vocals that ride along with the eerily beautiful lead, giving the track a unique appeal. Veteran UK DJ and producer Lil’ Mark takes the cut one step deeper. He adds a bit of funkiness and puts his hypnotic house mark on “Reaching” to get the listener ‘into the sound.’ Mark has had a deep connection with the Chicago house scene after living and touring with Derrick Carter in 1997. Mark’s bumpin’ signature style can be heard on releases from Classic Music Co., MFF, Bump, Leftroom, and Hot Waves.

Another great package from Get Up Recordings, this one is anything but basic.

Quentin Harris - “I’m feeling the original mixes of ‘You’re Basic’ and ‘Reaching’.”
Brett Johnson (Bang The Box / Cynosure) - Lil’ Mark’s remix takes the EP!“
Terry Francis (Wiggle / Fabric) - ”The original ‘You’re Basic’ is the one for me.“
Justin Harris (Music For Freaks / Classic) - ”Excellent EP!“
Alkalino (Estimativa / Audaz Recordings) - ”The Lauren Flax remix of ‘You’re Basic’ is my pick.“
Craig Stewart (Montana & Stewart / DCSTrax) - ”The Lil’ Mark remix is perfect to set the mood.“
Pablo Alejandro (House Call Records / ChicagoHouse.FM) - ”This is one hot f#@king release! Man, it’s bonkers and it’s going to get some serious play!“
Moony Me (Maesonic / Apparel Music) - ”Lauren Flax’s remix is sexy as hell.“
Tommy Largo (Lost My Dog / Kolour) - ”The Lil’ Mark remix for me … classic sounding.“
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) - ”That Lauren Flax remix is hot!“
DK Watts (Short Bus Kids / Bounce House) - ”Trippy stuff … perfect for dance floor change-ups!“
Bogdan Taran (Dance Box) - ”‘Reaching’ is a brilliant house track … will also play the Lil’ Mark remix.“
Joan Ribas (Ibiza Soulstice Music / Cafe del Mar) - ”Groovy release!“
DJ Deep Index (BOP FM, Australia) - ”‘Reaching’ is an awesome track … nice build ups, and it flows wickedly.“
Kosta (Vibe FM / AWD House) - ”The sound of 2014 right here. A good mix of dark, big room tracks on this EP.“
DJ Lolly (Freek FM / Ruff Diamond) - ”Loving these tracks … old school meets new school.“
Jean Jérome (Radio FG / Kut ‘N’ Paste) - ”Love that 909 groove … so good to go back to the old school!”

Available now from Beatport and Amazon.

Eli Escobar - Body EP (Get Up Recordings)

Get Up Recordings is back once again, this time with a double A-side release from fellow NYC DJ/producer Eli Escobar. Eli has surfaced as one of the most exciting talents on the dance music scene. Well-known for his remixes of artists like Diplo, M.I.A., Chromeo, and Nacho Lovers, he also has original releases on Nurvous Records, Plant Music, and Wurst. Eli manages to combine all of his musical influences – New York disco, ’80s hip-hop, and new wave – into flawless productions that feed the imagination, touch the heart, and move the feet. The Body EP features two original tracks and two house remixes for “Anotha Luv” coming from NYC’s House of Stank and Chicago’s Alinka.

The EP kicks off with the ’80s acid house inspired track “Anotha Luv”, jam-packed with diva vocals and classic melodic synth pads. Chicago DJ/producer Alinka, known for her highly-regarded collaborations with fellow Chicagoan Shaun J. Wright, takes a solo swing at “Anotha Luv” and knocks it out of the park with an early Chicago acid house remix. NYC production team House of Stank (DJs Christy Love and W. Jeremy) give “Anotha Luv” the NY house treatment, complete with stacked key hits and a thumping bass line.

The EP closes out with “Body.” With its hypnotic keys and building acid line, the track sounds like it came straight out of a vault of early ’90s NY house classics.

Another fantastic package from Get Up Recordings, this EP is perfect for the classic house heads.

Brett Johnson - “FIRE!”
Hard Ton (Gigolo / Permanent Vacation) - “Cool tracks … I luv ’em. All versions feel good to me, with Alinka’s remix being the first on my list.”
Vanilla Ace - “‘Body’ is dope.”
Chris Fortier - “I always dig what Eli Escobar does.”
Claudio Coccoluto - “Nice package!”
DK Watts (Short Bus Kids) - “I like the acid and the old school vibes in this EP … quality stuff.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “The House of Stank remix … nice acid vibe, cool percussive elements, and driving groove.”
Louis Hughes (6th Sense Music) - “Solid house music for the funky floors. The Alinka mix is tops. Oh … and ‘Aceeeiiiidddd!’”
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) - “Rocking this … all mixes are hot!”
Bogdan Taran (Dance Box) - “Very old school, energetic, and filled with raw energy.”
mr. mack (Ascension Radio Show, Spain) - “Yeah, I can go for that ’88 vibe.”
Myxzlplix (Subdivisions Global) - “Sweet and chunky goodness from Eli Escobar … sure to set some dance floors on fire.”
Joan Ribas (Ibiza Soulstice Music / Cafe del Mar) - “Excellent cool old skool house grooves.”
SimonG (Deep South Audio) - “Sweet beats that will bounce this summer.”

Available now from Beatport and Stompy.